Despite the challenges of inflation, high interest rates and an uncertain geopolitical situation, underlying demand for intralogistics automation remains strong. Continuing labour availability issues and the global growth in e-commerce will be the key drivers for the trend to automate over the coming years, according to AMHSA. The need to meet consumer expectations in terms of delivery speed and convenience in the face of labour shortages will necessitate more and more warehouse automation, including in conveying and sortation.
This article was first published in the November 1st 2024 issue of Warehouse & Logistics News, subscribe to the magazine by clicking here.
Conveyor systems often contain danger zones which must be protected against unauthorised access. The Smart Process Gating (SPG) principle has no need for additional sensors and therefore conveyor systems can be made more compact. The Smart Process Gating muting process, which completely removes the need for muting sensors, is based on the MLC safety light curtains from Leuze electronic and is integrated in the MLC 530 SPG model.
L-A-C designed and installed a fixed length of roller conveyor for motorcycle manufacturer Maeving which included three sections of integrated platens or slave boards – a flat sheet of aluminium – to provide a solid base on which to fix the motorcycle frame in order to easily and safely assemble the various components required for each model. Using an overhead hangman lift to initially place the motorcycle onto the first section of conveyor, the frame is securely fixed with its tyres held in place by red steel jigs. Additionally, the yellow steel uprights hold the frame adjacent to the foot pedals to provide further stability.
Two Rolling On Interroll (ROI) partners have implemented a seamless material flow solution at a US distribution centre operated by Arvato, one of the world‘s leading contract logistics providers. The project, consisting of high-performance conveyor and sorting systems with intelligent control and seamless integration of labelling robots, shows how increasingly demanding material-handling requirements can be flexibly met and future-proofed. With nearly 100 locations and 17,000 employees around the globe, Arvato is one of the world’s leading contract logistics companies.
Leading Nordic fashion retailer Kappahl Group has chosen Vanderlande to automate a new logistics centre which will be located in the greater Gothenburg area in Sweden. The two companies have signed a contract for the installation of Vanderlande’s FASTPICK solution at the 34,000m2 facility, which is expected to go live in June 2026. Vanderlande’s FASTPICK solution includes its ADAPTO automated storage and retrieval system: 159 ADAPTO shuttles will access 86,000 storage locations across 28 aisles, before moving items to 16 ergonomic goods-to-person picking stations.
With e-commerce growing and less labour available, expect conveying and sortation to become more automated.
George Simpson
Features Editor
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